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The 21st Show

The History And Harm of Illinois’ Criminal HIV Law

The Illinois General Assembly passed a law that made it a crime to not disclose one’s HIV status in certain situations in 1989. The law has disproportiantely affected Black and brown people, and now an overwhelming majority of Illinois lawmakers have voted to repeal that law. 

Dana Cronin/Illinois Newsroom

The 21st Show

Concerns About Rented Farmland

Illinois has the highest rate of rented farmland in the country. This could have environmental and economic consequences for the next generation of prospective farmers. The 21st spoke to an agriculture reporter and a farmland owner about the issue and its implications. 

A screen shot of Harley Hand (lower left) playing Farming Simulator. He has more than 40,000 followers on his Facebook gaming page.
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The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Thursday June 10, 2021

In today's deep dive, even though only 3% of Americans are currently farmers, a lot of people still identify as part of the agricultural lifestyle. That community has found a home in a video game.

Ride Across Illinois website

The 21st Show

One Day Bike Ride Across Illinois

A group of cyclists are undertaking the One Day Bike Ride Across Illinois, a 150 mile trip from the banks of the Mississippi River in Thompson Illinois to the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. The 21st spoke with one od those cyckists to hear more about the distance, endurance and what they’ve seen on the ride across our state.

The 21st Show

Rebroadcast: No Such Thing As Dream Job

The 21st spoke with writer Rainesford Stafford about her book "An Ordinary Age: Finding Your Way in a World That Expects Exceptional," a collection of stories from young people who have rejected the pressure to be perfect. 

 Manuel Rene Del Carmen organizes bags of recyclables and throws them into their allotted storage spaces at the Sure We Can recycling depot, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in the Bushwick neighborhood of New York.
AP Photo

The 21st Show

Rebroadcast: Rethinking Recycling

Even if we’re careful about sorting paper from plastic, and washing that plastic, too, what really happens to our recycling? An Illinois expert says all that paper and plastic you carefully sort from the trash might very well end up in a landfill. 

Pride flag in Urbana in June 2021.
Reginald Hardwick/Illinois Newsroom

The 21st Show

LGBTQ Spaces Are Disappearing

Spaces for LGBTQ+ people are disappearing, with nearly 40 percent of gay bars closing around the U.S. in recent decades — including many here in Illinois. This pride month, The 21st spoke with guests about what is lost and where younger generations are finding support and community.